Day 14: The History Drawing

The History Drawing

Task:

• spend an hour sketching an interesting composition with the following objects, 2 paper models which we made last week aswell as 1 man made, 1 reflective and 2 natural objects.

• change the angle and draw over the top of the orgional

• follow this process afew more times removing or adding layers to make it clear which drawing is which.

Analysis
The purpose of this method was to get something ordinary and turn it extroadinary. By this I am describing the process in which we draw a simple observational sketch of the objects but then develop and involve it into the unknown. I am a very controlled and neat sketcher and therefore found this very challenging. I could not plan the composition or have a final idea in mind as we were only told a limited amount of instructions throughout the day. I also found that after spending an hour drawing I was not keen on drawing on top of it! By the end of the day I had thoroughly enjoyed the excercise and was very pleased with my final outcome. Ways in which I could have made each skecth stand out include:

• tone-softer pencil
• different media
• draw with different character
• patch areas
• rub out
• destroy surface
• layer transparent (tracing paper)

Whilst it still retains afew aspects of my drawing in terms of neat and tonal lines but also explores different viewpoints completly changing the viewrs persepective. I wanted to keep my materials basic and therefore only used tonal values of a pencil to distinguis between drawings. When I personally thought my drawing was complete to an extent, my tutor came round and we discuseed positive and negative areas. We agreed that the scissors work very well whereas the wood on the opposing side isnt as effective. My tutor suggested trying to find a way to add another layer of drawing by repeating the scissors. As I didnt want to ruin thr original I decided to lay a piece of tracing paper over the top and use black fine liner to create a scissor effect snaking around the paper. The final piece is perfect as I can either layer the tracing paper on top and create a layered effect or I could even count them as two separate works as both are effective on their own aswell. Reviweing everyones at the end really helped as I could see how other people interpretted the instructions differently. I noticed that everyone's were very personal and unique and in the majority you could see a glimpse into what field a student studys, some had architecture aspects and others had a graphic style.

Day 13: Lecture and Life Drawing

Lecture and Life Drawing

Lecture: What is a line?- Isolde Pullum
Below is a picture of my notes from the lecture, exploring line!

This lecture really made me think, how is a line created? Through careful thought and discussion I have come to the conclusion that an observational line is due to tonal values of objects around you. To prove this I have used an object and a piece of white paper, as the darker tone of the object contrasts within the white a 'border' is created to separate the objects and therefore creates the lines we see and draw.
An amazing fact I never realised was that pencils were only discovered roughly 500 years ago. Considering the amount of art made Pre 15th Century  shows the huge development in which art has evolved. Before pencil was discovered artists used graphite, charcoal and chalk. Before graphite artists such as Albrecht Durer used metalpoint.
Th lecture was mainly on different ways in which you could use materials and techniques to manipulate the final outcome and the message. I have found all the lectures really interesting as each covers such a huge topic area that everyone can relate to. This lecture confirmed my practice of drawing, painting and manipulating materials. One key quote which I liked was Paul Klee, drawing is as if you are 'taking line for a walk' and contrasting this it has a 'series of appointments'. Turner also comments by drawing he is 'locking his hand to his eye'.
Another fascinating idea is illusory space. The idea in which dark, heavy and sharply focused lines appear nearer than pale, thin and fuzzy lines that recede into the background. Below right is an example of how this can effect a drawing, giving it dis equilibrium in this case.

To conclude the lecture was  left with the question, Why do we see the world in lines? As above I explained why we see them but I have also considered other reasons such as we originally used gestures like pointing to something which creates a mental line and how drawing lines is universal.

Artists
An amazing diagram of the idea and drawing process has been ironically created on a tube map by Stephen Farthing, I found this so intriguing to read and analyse as I could personally go through and relate myself to the artwork. Below is the link to the PDF file for his artwork.
www.stephenfarthing.com/pdf/map.pdf
Tonal Value- Stephen Braund

Metalpoint- Albrecht Durer

John Raynes- Natural History Museum- broad variety of line qualities
George Stubbs- Anatomy of a horse- close detail
Leonardo Da Vinci- A bear wlking- speculative lines (still woman in background)
Henry Moore- Sheep no. 43- generalised lines
John Sloan- Nude drawings- etching
Richard Long- walking line- man made
Andy Goldsworthy- The wall the went for a walk


Life Drawing

Task 

• draw 4 sketches of the model in four different positions, each 20 minutes

Analysis
Today was my first life drawing class of the term. I was very anxious heading into the studio as I am certainly not known for my life drawing! I have previously only participated in one life drawing class and to be honest, I found it a nightmare! I could never get any proportions right and I was never vry good at drawing figures anyway.
In contrast to this I have thoroughly enjoyed the class today as even at the end of today's session I had improved. By doing the measurement drawings for the past two days I found I had conquered the technique and therefore managed to draw correct proportions of the model. I also found I was picking up on smaller details than before due to the technique. When reflecting on the finished work, it doesnt look finished! My first life drawing, although the proportions are right, it took me so long to get the right size I was not able to add much detail, therefore turning out as very simple line drawings. I also was overcautious in terms of the tone of the line, making it light enough to rub out and therefore the liens are also very faint.
From this first life drawing experience I have been able to improve my basic skills of figure drawing and also practice measuring techniques.

Day 12: Wideangle Drawing

Wideangle drawing

Tasks:

Draw as if looking through a wide angle lens

create distortion- antidote to focusing in one area and become aware of information receiving- mind will try to over ride

Try not to use a ruler as looks mechanical

Draw vertical line, then line at eye level, select unit of measurement and divide up page into at least 10 divisions

Analysis

After yesterday I was really looking forward to grasping the measuring technique and predicted it would take some time to practice though. My prediction was correct after working for 5 hours I had only produced a light drawing with basic shapes. I realised at the beginning of the day I would find the exercise more beneficial if I really concentrated and tried to get all the proportions right using the technique instead of rushing the drawing to get it finished but not fully grasping the method. After fully getting to grips with it I had some issues with angles and it was hard to measure. I was able to overcome this by using my pencil to measure the angle and transferring it onto the paper. Whilst it was very time consuming I found by the end of the day my drawing was accurate.

Day 11: Accurate Drawing

Accurate Drawing 

Below is a photo of me doing an accurate drawing through measuring proportions using my pencil

Task:

• 1st drawing- 10 minute sketch from observation of object on table
• 2nd drawing- 50 minute sketch using a one to one measuring system with the pencil
• 3rd drawing- using the measuring system either double or half the size
• 4th drawing- make a comparison drawing using the pencil technique
• 5th drawing- spend the afternoon sketching a composition and practicing the techniques

Analysis:

This was my first experience with using a measuring technique. At first I found it very hard to focus on a particular area with only one eye but after a bit of practice I got the hang of doing a direct transfer using the pencil. By the end of the day I able to do a direct transfer aswell as halving the size or doubling up the measurements. When I tried to do an accurate drawing using the proportions technique I struggled. I decided instead of jumping too far ahead, as this was the first time I had ever tired this method, I would perfect scaling up or down instead of using the proportions method. This really helped me as I can now draw accurately scaling up or down and I look forward to practicing tomorrow the proportions. This will also help with my life drawing as am always getting the wrong proportions, that is why I am very pleased we have been taught this technique before my life drawing class on Wednesday.

Week 2 Review

Day 10: Futures Lecture

Alex Schady

Alex Schady started the lecture with this painting, a stereotypical portrait of a painter, with long wavy hair, gazing into space looking at one with himself. Then commented, hardly any artists are actually like this! Don't get caught up in the stereotyped world of art, and 'be suspicious of the romantic idea of an artist'!

Alex Schady mainly worked trying to interface between different areas, e.g landscape and sculpture. I found this very refreshing as I have not yet decided in which area to specialise and to see how Schady has studied within Fine Art but been able to explore a huge range under that pathway. Schady uses lots of film and video, with one an extract from the film A Brief Encounter where he 'inserts' himself into the film by holding a photo of his head over the protagonist. Another piece of key advise was that artwork can come from anywhere and is more natural when he doesn't know what he is creating and therefore turns out surprising and interesting. Another comment was when it gets to the point in which you exhibit work, each exhibition is a way to give the artwork a new life, for example he projected a video onto one side of a wall and in the corner opposite lay a huge mirror which reflected the video.
Collaborations: Schady believes every collaboration is a chance to work, one collaboration his partner attacked the gallery walls with an axe and he sat in the corner with plasticine covering the wall wherever he could reach (as if to make it better). Another collaboration was when his partner made a huge white tunnel through the gallery and he 'ruined' it with colour and creating 3D objects by dipping polystyrene balls into gloss.

Alex Schady also commented that he likes to turn lectures into his work aswell by dressing up and experimenting in other ways, sadly we wern't turned into his artwork!
I found this lecture very appealing as he focuses mainly on installations which I would like to create more of.
His artists run space: Five Years- http://www.fiveyears.org.uk/  

Oliver West 

After the amazing lecture from Alex Schady everyone was inspired and wanted to get started doing moree research and working but straight after we had another lecture but from Oliver West who is a visual thinking specialist.
The first thing he made us to was fold up an A4 sheet of paper into 16 squares and gave us the advice we should carry one like this wherever we go. I think this is a great idea as I am always having so many ideas but they go in and out of my head so quickly the majority I forget!
Key Points:

• be spontaneous
• push ideas further
• complete all work
• DOODLE!

There were afew things which Oliver said which I could really relate to.  One being in that if someone asked him to draw a donkey it would look awful, and is therefore awful at pictionary but if he was in a field and he saw a donkey and sketched it, it would look good. There have been so many times in which people don't believe I study Art as i haven't been able to draw well from memory. I think this relates back to the work from the other day and how it is so important to constantly refer back to the object rather than use your imagination or memory.
Another comment Oliver suggested was that he has perceptive ability to notice and observe, which when I considered the meaning I realised I also did. In the lecture not only could I hear him but i had also notice the sound of then fan in the background. Another example is sitting in a pub and also tuning into other conversations around aswell as your own. On one hand it can be very handy and inspiring as I notice things that others dont but on the other hand it also means my senses are very sensistive and therefore get distracted easily. This leads to how I am a 'multi
-layered thinker' instead of 'linear' thinker as I have many things going through my head at one point. Its ironic how I have spent all my education years being told to sit still and be quiet, but I find it hard to sit and only do one thing. Now, on the other hand, it is the opposite and encourage us to doodle!
Overall this lecture taught me more about myself and the technique which would be most effective to help me study and also interact with others.
To the right is an etching by Oliver West.

http://www.oliverwest.net/
oliverwestfootnotes@gmail.com

Day 9: Beach Visit

Task
Copy an artists work onto the beach

Analysis
The brief itself was very vague, prompting us to use our creativity through use of materials, tools and images. Working with a group of people had a very positive outcome as a range of ideas were discussed and finally deciding on my idea in which we should re create Van Gogh's 'Skull With A Burning Cigarette'. I had selected this painting due to its ironic imagery of a skeleton, which could be related to on the beach as a castaway or pirate. I also suggested this idea as the very detailed drawing could be turned into a simplistic sketch, which I made yesterday. The sketch was perfect as it meant as soon as we arrived at the beach we could start the outline. We encountered many problems at first, the only copy of the drawing was getting wet in the rain, proportions were hard to work out on the beach and due to strong and noisy winds communication was tricky. I took a leadership role within the group as i enjoy working with others and have found am I a good mediator between people. I overcame these problems by tracing more sketches, having a lookout on the top of a cliff to help with proportions and communicating through mobile phones. Whilst the copy of the sketch was useful at first, each drawing was slightly different and therefore encountered problems at a later date so had to refer back to the original only. One technique I discovered was to draw the basic outline with only a few spades and lots of people was to have one person on the cliff top directing where people should stand. I used people as a dot to dot drawing which one person could then draw a line traveling from each person, this was a quick and very effective method. Once the outline was made it meant we could then go back and work on detail.
I found this exercise a breath of fresh air compared to working in a studio all day as it gave us a freedom to work within the beautiful environment of Falmouth and also interact with the public. I have found working in public a great way for instant feedback as lots of walkers would stop and comment on the piece.

Below are other artworks created by colleagues

Day 8: Contextual Lecture

Drawing

"drawing"- making marks on a surface (often by dragging) that express or represent an idea"
"drawing like a piano, can be learnt'

• drawing is a universal language
• drawing can be an expression of the inner world
• drawings can be improvised (links to subconsciousness)
• drawing show how much imagery can be coaxed from imagination and memory (sensory drawings)

3 Styles of Drawing:

1. Personal language of drawing
2. Recording and analysing material world
3. Ideas through visulisation

Artists
Julie Mehretu- Huge layered drawings, strong architecture features, instinctive drawings
Albrecht Durer- Wood engravings, man drawing through a lense, old drawing techniques
Sarah Simlett- Anatomical drawing, what she draws cannot be done through photography
Julia Quensler- Court room illustrator
Paul Nash, Christopher Nevinson and Muirhead Bone- War art
Giorgio Morandi- Obsessive relationship, same vessels on same table
Nicola Hicks- Cross fertilises, observational drawings
Richard Rogers- Digital drawing
Frank Gehry- Impressionistic, loose (Nederlanden building)
Robert Crumb- Comic Illustrator
Chris Orr- Iconic and ironic


Anaylsis
I found this lecture interesting in terms of facts and the vast variety of artists but I believe the way in which the lecture was performed was not very creative, therefore lost alot of student's attention very quickly. Whilst I took lots of notes and digest the information I found myself thinking about other things and doodling. I don't think this is a bad thing as I am constantly being inspired and in that lecture aswell as getting all the context of drawing I found myself walking away with ideas in which i could perform a lecture to make it visually stimulating and include the audience. Videos, pictures and constant audience interaction I believe would engage art students maybe more than reading as I enjoy and find most effective 'hands on' learning and getting involved.

Day 7: Line, Plane, Volume

Exploring Space

Tasks

• use a previous drawing to trace negative spaces
• cut out the shapes on card
• create a 3D sculpture using the shapes as planes
• revisit drawing and identify key lines to add to sculpture
• revisit drawing and identify volume to add to sculpture
• produce a new sculpture that represents the theme 

To the right hand side are pictures of my 2D and 3D drawings

Analysis
The first stage in which we had to find negative spaces was a great excercise to begin with as it really made me consider how I can manipulate 2D drawings into shapes which I can lift off the page to create a 3D object. I experienced the same negative effect which happened afew days ago where I felt out of my comfort zone as I have previously enjoyed working to perfection whereas this was very expressive. From the past few weeks I am understanding the saying "its the journey not the destination" alot more. Each time I experiment with other methods and techniques I am constantly being inspired with ideas which get recorded on this blog.
I found when I cut out a range of shapes I was attracted to one in particular and therefore decided to multiply that shape. By mistake I was gradually making the archway smaller
due to the cutting technique and template I used, in the end this turned out to be a 'lightbulb moment'! I continued to cut in this style as when placed together it looked as if it was a bridge or tunnel which you could look through but with a perspective. Whilst I loved the idea, making it support itself was alot harder than I had considered, therefore as a temporary support I used bluetack.

The idea of re visiting the original drawing I enjoyed as I was inspired by the line qualities but at this point I decided to start a new project. Whilst I want to develop my initial idea I was inspired with a range of mark makings in the drawing and thought these would be most expressive on a larger scale. I used the left over card which created unusual shapes to work on top of. I was not impressed with this particular 3D sculpture as it had no dominant structure or shape but that helped me move on to create another object with very rigid edges and a firm pattern. I weaved pieces of paper together to create a flower like object which could be manipulated in many ways but still form a similar shape. To represent volume within this object I used the stereotypical petal shape within the weave.

I chose the word 'Scale' to represent within a sculpture as instead of working on one i created today or making an entirely new one I have decided to use my initial idea of how perspective is a result of scale. By keeping the shape and structure simple the entire focus can be on perspective.
Overall I have found the day very beneficial as I had never explored how 2D drawings can be turned into 3D and I can apply this technique into any aspect of art.

Day 6: Animation Taster

Tasks

• animation lecture
• sketch 40 frames using a self portrait and another image and morphing into another portrait created by a colleague 

Lecture
Meaning of the word 'animation' -illusion of movement created by the frame by frame manipulation of images. Originated from Phenakistoscope 1872 (bird and cage coin) and Zeotrope 1867.

I have never studied animation before as it wasn't immediately appealing to me but I found the history to the art very interesting. The main message within it the lecture was the point in which it becomes an optical illusion and therefore tricks the mind. I never realised the vast amount of sub headings there are within animation but as Andy Wyatt was describing each one, I was able to relate them to films and programmes I see on a daily basis. I was shocked with the notion that a five minute film could take up to three or four years. Not only does animation use alot of patience but it is very flexible in terms that it can be done anywhere, anytime, giving the freedom to express creativity. I found the lecture really interesting but i believe that alot of that was down to the way in which it was presented with lots of videos and pictures which made it visually attracting.

Artists
Feet of Song by Erica Russel
Russel uses thick and expressive ink drawings to create a simple but very effective animation. The rhythm in her work plays a vital part giving the characters a life. I found I enjoyed watching this animation as I found the movement very beautiful, which makes me reflect on my passion for dancing. After the lecture I researched deeper into her work and found another animation called Triangle Dance.
Feet f http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYAblP07a5E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmwo38wtf-o


Dimensions of dialogue by Jan Svanmayer- uses everyday materials
Muto bu Blu- graffiti on wall
Honda GRRRR by Smith and Faulkes- 'Hate something' advert
http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=KagSgWKaE_8

Analysis of Task

When creating my self portrait I wanted to stay clear of the stereotypical face on view and therefore created an insecure portrayal of myself by facing the opposite way. I also represented this through holding my hair up creating an awkward posture. I then created an oxymoron within my work but chosing waves within water, as to me they reflect freedom and a wild nature. By using two extremes it allows viewers to relate to both personalities.
In the first stage of drawing I was excited as I had just watched a ten minute long animation but reality kicked in and I realised it is going to be a long process to create at least 40 frames for just a 5 second clip. I found the task very repetitive and only managed to create 16 frames, without detail! I therefore need to makes sure i can get them completed and detailed by Friday.

Composition- I morphed my portrait by extending my hair after removing my hands from my head as a sign of release. It extends around my body and into a wave which is created through multiple frames and finally the wave breaking. I plan on morphing it into another colleagues portrait through a glass of water within her portrait which can merge into my wave.

Below are my intial key frames without any detail

Week 1 Review

Day 5: Futures Lecture

Futures Lecture

Alison Sharkey
The lecture was led by Alison Sharkey, a fine artist (liked to be referred to as a visual artist) and i found the lecture eye opening in the sense she exposed all the true and negative facts  of being an artist in the modern day. I found some of her artwork very visually appealing, especially her train tracks with over grown grass and painted trees. I had never thought about what happens to artwork, i have been naive in thinking its just sold or exhibited whereas Sharkey enlightened me to the fact in which after artwork is sold it 'disappears' and so it must be a good sum on money to be worth selling. She also mentioned her passion for working in the public eye which i can relate to. She briefly mentioned she likes it as along with the immediate reactions, viewers opinions vary alot and express their feelings towards the piece more openly.
Alison Sharkey also commented on her degree experience and how her aim was to b able to manipulate and use paint. Similarly i want to expand my knowledge and expertise withing apint as i have been restricted to using acrylic paint. I would love to develop my skills working with oil paint and other materials.
Similar to Sharkey i believe the environment in which i am currently living and working within will have a huge impact on my work, which is a key reason as to why i moved to study in Falmouth. I found he bright lights of London appealing to work in but to study art i felt i needed to escape to a more peaceful environment.
Below are a few examples of Alison Sharkey's work

http://www.alisonsharkey.com/

Day 4: Gestalt Drawing

Gestalt Drawing


Tasks

• tape 2 A1 sheets together and create a background in graphite using a range of marks.
• use a rubber and remove sections then work back into it
• move to someone's drawing and work on theirs
• return to your original drawing and recognise objects 
• rub out again and turn upside down, identify another object/ scene

Analysis

The meaning of Gestalt drawing was an uncontrollable expression through shade, form, figure or pattern. It was the process of discovery, which doesn't have to have a beginning or and end but lots of conclusions. I have found this task very physically demanding aswell as mentally. Whist i could endure the physical paini found the process of 'letting loose' out of my comfort zone. I have previously been a very controlled and small scale artist whereas this highlighted other techniques to create texture. I found it a struggle during the first two stages but when transferring to another persons work i felt i could start a fresh and improve theirs easily. When i returned i was also very pleased with the results as where i had been scared to remove recognisable shapes, my colleague had created another layer of abstraction on top. My favourite part of the task was identifying objects or scenes within a range of textures and rubbings. I could express my creativeness and found myself helping others with suggestions to what they could develop their work into. Whilst i found this enjoyable the first time due to the majority of the canvas being dark therefore highlighting light areas which could easily be developed, on the other hand the second time i struggled due to the canvas being alot lighter. This therefore meant that there were more possibilities as to what it could be. I decided initially on a holly leaf, created it simply and then changed my mind so rubbed half out, flipped it ad created a waterfall scene. I then changed my mind again and created a tree. I was not happy with my final artwork but it was the process which had the biggest impact.

Below are pictures of my work and the various steps

Use a range of marks

Work on a colleagues

Rub out two thirds

Identify a scene: Campfire

Identify another object

Changed my mind again

Day 3: Contextual Lecture

Contextual Lecture

Area's covered- Modernism and Post Modernism

I have little background knowledge into the history of art as for the past few years i have led a very physical course in art and design, therefore i am very intrigued to open a new door, finding new inspiration and leaning more history behind art.
Within the lecture i found the topic in which modernism can be argued as a state of mind rather than a period very interesting. It made me reflect to how artwork reflects a mood and how the environment you work in has a huge influence. I found it amusing how modernism was described as an 'umbrella term', as i had never heard of this saying before. I researched the meaning and found it covers a range of concepts under a common category. I could develop this metaphor into an ironic piece of artwork.
I took four A4 pages of notes which i think is abit too much as i was constantly writing instead of taking in the lecture and therefore over the next few lectures i will try and achieve a good balance.

Artists
Jeff Koons
I had briefly heard of the post modernism artist Jeff Koons but had not developed my research futher, whereas when i was shown the picture of 'Puppy" 1992 i was amazed by the huge scale and public display. His work was enlightening as he made the point that his work was simply a puppy...'no irony'.
Jeff Koons artwork caused controversy over if his artwork can be classed as his own die to the 120 man strong army which creates his work. Koons is also defying stereotypes as he is seen in a picture in his suit whilst in his studio with his workforce. He is a young and wealthy artist which is becoming alot more common in the modern era in comparison to the traditional belief artwork only sells after the artists death.
Below a photo of Jeff Koon's 'Puppy'

Barbara Hepworth
Modernist artist who creates mainly sculptures within an environment. I was not amazed by her work but was impressed with the scale and therefore decided to research into her. I found out that she has an open studio and gardens near Falmouth which i would love to go and visit in the future.

Day 2: Sensory Drawing

Sensory Drawing

Tasks

• create a sculpture and hide in a bag
• 4 sketches- with a partner describing the object, touching, not looking at page and final observation
• 4 sketches- continuous line drawing looking at page, in graphic language, tonal drawing and texture.

Below are pictures of the drawings I skecthed

At the start we discussed the meaning of drawing. This obvious term has many connotations and messages within a simple topic. Through reflection i have gained an insight into the process to discover, imagine and record. I found the process in which i was restricted to a sense (e.g touch) made me realise the importance of taking an object for what it is and constantly glancing to achieve a true portrayal  instead of working from memory or imagination.

The second stage was where i could personally excel as whilst i wasn't impressed with the line drawing i was inspired when it came to the graphic code. I created the code raning from 1-5 in order of shade, 1 being the lightest area of my object. I sketched my object (a peg) using these numbers. The method was a sub-conscious connection to my childhood when i used to paint in the shapes different colours according to the number. This idea has sparked my imagination and i have noted this idea down to come back to at a later date. The texture and tonal drawing i felt i could really focus and capture every detail of the object. The task gave my senses a feeling of empowerment with strength to stand alone. It's also made me consider artists which have an impairment of some sort and how they achieve their work by using their other strengths.

Artists
Claude Monet
Monet wouldn't stop painting untl he was nearly blind and in the last decade of his life Monet, nearly blind, painted water lily murals.

http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/famous-blind.shtml

Day 1: Introduction

Simple introduction into the course and given timetables.